‘Don’t think PM Modi is so weak,’ ‘likes to be criticized,’ says Shekhar Suman as he defends comments on show | Today’s news
Addressing the speculation surrounding his YouTube satirical show ‘Shekhar Tonite’, actor and TV host Shekhar Suman recently said that it is a misconception that the show targets the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre.
“Don’t think Modi is so weak”: Shekhar Suman
In an interview with Lallantop, Suman said that the show highlights the flaws in the system rather than criticizing a particular political party. He added that he did not think Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his government would see it as a threat.
He said, “I don’t think Modi is so weak that people from his government are calling me for such a small show. He is a very powerful man and I think he has much bigger worries. There are other sorrows in the world besides Shekhar Tonite.”
Suman also denied that the BJP asked him to mute his comment or stop the show. Instead, he claimed that several politicians had contacted him to express their appreciation.
Recalling the reaction of viewers after the premiere of the first episode of ‘Shekhar Tonite’ on YouTube, Suman said that many expressed doubts whether the second episode would air. He questioned why anyone would assume the show would end suddenly, pointing out that the Prime Minister had said he welcomed criticism.
“Why? Who would stop it? PM Modi? He has said it himself several times that he likes to be criticized. So we took a cue from there. I suppose he has a sense of humor and wouldn’t take it so seriously. It’s part of democracy and part of my profession. What we say is in entertainment, not a reason for me to have fun.” the important thing,” he said.
Shekhar Suman’s approach to political satire
Elaborating on his approach to political satire, Suman said that he has remained consistent over the years, regardless of which party is in power. Comparing the government to a classroom monitor, he said: “If the classroom monitor fails, the students would panic and hold him accountable, wouldn’t they? It doesn’t matter who the monitor is.”
He further emphasized that his comic style was never about attacking a particular leader or party, noting that his shows had previously criticized former prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. He also recalled his earlier TV show “Movers & Shakers”, which aired during both the BJP-led and Congress-led governments, illustrating his long-standing approach to satire.
Speaking to Mint last week, Suman described himself as ‘pro-people’ and said, “I am not against anyone. I am not against Modi or Rahul Gandhi. I am for the people. I stand for what the masses are facing. If the system is failing, we have to talk about it. We are doing it well.”
Shekhar Tonite: The First Digital Talk Show
Shekhar Tonite is the first digital talk show that promises candid, unscripted conversations about carefully crafted celebrity appearances. The show, which first aired on May 15, 2026, strives to bring honest, spontaneous exchanges to the screen, favoring honest emotional expression over carefully rehearsed conversations. New episodes are released every Friday on Suman’s official YouTube channel.
